Bill allowing firms to keep tax money sent to governor

A bill allowing certain employers to keep 95 percent of the state personal income tax money they would otherwise remit to the state on behalf of new workers was headed Wednesday to Gov. Tom Corbett's desk, according to a news release.

To qualify, a business would have to create at least 250 jobs in Pennsylvania within five years and at least 100 of the jobs would have to come within two years, according to the release from state Rep. Kerry Benningoff, who introduced House Bill 2626.

Other caveats include that the new employees must get wages at or above the average pay of workers in the county where the jobs are created, according to the release from Benninghoff, R-Centre and Mifflin counties.

The company also would need to provide the workers with health care benefits and cover at least 50 percent of the premium, the release stated.